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2022 Cruisers Yachts 34GLS

  • By Capt. Chris Caswell
  • April 6, 2022

Cruisers Yachts 34GLS out cruising

The new Cruisers Yachts 34GLS is the latest iteration of the popular GLS series from Cruisers Yachts, which persists in claiming that GLS stands for Grand Luxury Sport. But I like to think it stands for Great Little Ship. This yacht defines family fun—if you look up “family fun” in the dictionary, you’ll find a picture of the 34GLS. Well, not really, but you get the idea.

The 34GLS is aimed at day outings and occasional overnight adventures, and it has enough speed (45 mph) with twin Mercury Verado outboards to satisfy all the towed water-toy needs.

Outboards generally preclude a usable transom platform, but the 34GLS has two “wings” extending alongside the engines as well as a comfortably wide walkway forward of the outboards, with all the plumbing and connections hidden so no one will trip. Like the rest of the cockpit, the area is covered with SeaDek for a cushy nonslip surface.

Cruisers Yachts 34GL cockpit

Interior and Accessories

The cockpit seating is offset to allow a rear-facing seat to port, the outdoor galley console, and a settee with a back that flips to become either a companion seat or aft-facing lounge. To starboard is an L-shaped settee, also with a flipping back for facing aft or forming a sun pad when folded flat. Cruisers gets credit not just for two perfectly finished tables (standard), but also for providing dedicated stowage (in a bag for varnish protection).

Cruisers Yachts 34GL aft lounge

The mini galley includes a sink, but be sure to order the optional grill, fridge or ice maker for serious outings, and maybe even the fridge drawer under the helm seat. A standard fiberglass hardtop covers the cockpit, and our boat had both the optional SureShade to stretch the sun protection and an opening sunroof.

Cruisers Yachts 34GL helm

The skipper gets a well-arranged throne with a bench seat (adult-plus-kid size), and a Simrad electronics package with twin 9-inch displays in an eyebrowed dash to prevent reflections.  

The bow seating is via a passage to port, with a closing windshield and wind door to protect the cockpit. This is an area where parents worry, but Cruisers made the coamings high at 33 inches. The cockpit is even deeper at about 40 inches for safety.

There’s nothing unusual forward, with wraparound seats, a pedestal table that becomes a sun pad, and a 48-quart cooler. The forward-facing seats have flip-down armrests with beverage holders. The windlass ($7,355) tucks under a flush foredeck hatch, with push-button controls at the helm and at the bow.

Cruisers Yachts 34GL bow seating

Going below, I was impressed by the sliding screen door and usual fiberglass door. One night of dodging no-see-ums and you’ll also appreciate them. Cruisers managed to jigsaw all the important things into the living area, with a pair of settees that convert to a 77-by-48-inch double berth using the dining table, and our test boat had the optional fridge and microwave for morning coffee. A second cabin is just aft, with a single 6-by-3-foot berth tucked athwartships—perfect for a kid or mother-in-law.

Cruisers Yachts 34GL cabin

A strong selling point for the 34GLS is the enclosed head with a Dometic electric flush toilet, and a counter with a vessel sink and Euro faucet. It’s a wet head with a wraparound shower curtain, a shower wand, and an opening port to vent the steam.

Cruisers Yachts 34GL head

Cruisers also gets points for paying attention to details, such as the fully finished lockers. Lift a hatch and you find all the plumbing carefully secured and labeled in a white-finished bilge for easy cleaning. A sump handles the shower and sink so soapy water doesn’t go into the bilge, and Cruisers doesn’t cut any corners on construction with the 34GLS. The all-fiberglass hull is reinforced with rot-free foam and glass stringers, plus numerous molded sections for monocoque strength. I was also impressed by the deep gutters in the deck hatches, which should easily handle enthusiastic washdowns or downpours without water leaking belowdecks.

Our test boat had the standard Merc 300 Verados with Joystick Piloting, but you can up the ante to 350, 400 or even 450R outboards if you have a need for speed. For the Great Lakes, the 34GLS can also be fitted with Volvo Penta or MerCruiser sterndrives up to 350 hp each, but you’d lose the immense utility room under the cockpit sole. With outboards, that cavern can handle a 5 kW Kohler diesel generator, although our 34 boasted the inverter ($6,740) that can power the air conditioning ($6,235) for up to six hours.

Cruisers Yachts 34GL outboards running

The 34GLS has hydraulic trim tabs as standard, but the boat came up flat and fast during our test without needing a nudge from the tabs to get onto plane. Because we ran flat at speed, I suspect the tabs are there to balance the boat when Aunt Edna parks to one side.

The bottom was designed by Ocean Five naval architects, a growing force in production boats, and it sliced neatly through wakes and chop with its 21-degree transom deadrise without throwing spray everywhere. The 34GLS is fun to drive too, and the skipper is going to have people lined up saying, “My turn, my turn!”

If you’re looking around, check out the Scout 350LXZ ($551,000), which is a foot shorter but offers triple outboards.

Whether you’re entertaining a bunch of friends or getting away for a lazy weekend, the Cruisers 34GLS fulfills the promise of grand luxury sport; even better, it’s also a great little ship.

How We Tested

  • Engine: Twin 300 hp Mercury Verado V-8s
  • Drive/Prop: Outboard/16″ x 16.5″ Enertia 3-blade stainless steel
  • Gear Ratio: 1.85:1 Fuel Load: 200 gal. Water on Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb

High Points 

  • Immense finished stowage throughout, including for large items such as fenders.
  • Clearly labeled and user-friendly dash, with shifter and throttles, joystick, and trim-tab controls in the armrest.
  • Wide walkway to the bow from the cockpit with high coamings.
  • Deep hatch gutters with rubber seals and double drains.
  • Needs more handrails for moving around the cockpit safely, and the strange knee-high rails on the seats are too low.
  • Getting into the aft cabin past the stairs requires a bit of wiggling.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, efficiency, operation.

Cruisers Yachts 34GLS performance data

Cruisers Yachts – Oconto, Wisconsin; 800-743-3478; cruisersyachts.com

  • More: 2022 , 30-40ft , boat tests , Boats , Cruisers Yachts , Cruising Boats , May 2022 , outboards

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Cruisers Yachts 50 GLS Reviewed

  • By Chris Caswell
  • September 28, 2023

When I reviewed the Cruisers Yachts 42 GLS two years ago, I decided that GLS must mean “great little ship.” With the 50 GLS flagship, I know it means “greater little ship.”

It actually means Grand Luxury Sport, which is also an apt description of the Cruisers GLS “adventuring” series. Cruisers, now owned by MarineMax, has paid attention to how we use our boats. The 50 GLS is a bowrider on steroids, an express cruiser with entertaining ambitions, an overnighter with comfort and a performance boat (49.6 knots) with the oomph to yank skiers or tubers with aplomb.

The 50 GLS is powered by three 600 hp Mercury Verado V-12 outboards . When I put the hammer down from idle, I was literally shoved back into the comfy, Ultraleather helm seat. And the yacht has fold-down terraces (Cruisers calls them beach doors) on each side of the cockpit, whose beam expands from 14 feet, 6 inches to more than 21 feet. That’s about the beam of many 95-foot yachts. The combination—with the outboard engines being out of the way on the transom—creates a cockpit that feels like a ballroom filled with dining and seating options.

This is also a good-looking yacht, with a black slash on the topsides to conceal the windows, and a windshield that rakes steeply into the sleek hardtop with a sunroof. For passengers boarding from dockside, the transom platform is wide and one level to the cockpit. That transom on the 50 GLS that I got aboard had a pair of Kenyon grills (one is standard). This positioning means smoke from charred steak won’t intrude into the cockpit. Just forward of the barbecue is a forward-facing settee with twin removable tables for dining or cocktails.

In the forward corner of the cockpit are an L-shaped counter, dual Isotherm fridges, an ice maker and a sink. Opposite this space—on an 8-inch raised platform—is another dining table, this one facing a 55-inch pop-up TV.

A secure walkway to port leads to the bow, which has three seats with headrests and an electric table that rises for cocktails or meals on the hook. This cockpit is deep (40 inches) and safe for kids. A cooler with a chiller plate (read no ice needed) is tucked under a seat.

At the helm is an intuitive dashboard with three 19-inch Simrad monitors and a joystick linked to the Side-Power bow thruster. We used that Mercury JPO joystick to make painless work of a normally tough situation: a fierce side wind, a strong current and a skinny dock. Dock-watchers hoping for a Sunday afternoon show will be disappointed.

And the 50 GLS is about more than alfresco living. A sliding hatch (with a screen) leads into a bright cabin with overhead and side windows. A counter holds a microwave and a fridge for morning coffee and warm croissants without having to leave the cabin.

Forward is a stateroom, with a wider-than-queen berth, hanging lockers and privacy from French doors. Headroom is a surprising 6 feet, 8 inches, which adds to the airy feeling. Just aft and to starboard is the head, with a separate stall shower that is also oversize: 4 feet by nearly 3 feet.

Another stateroom is tucked under the cockpit with a pair of berths that can be configured as seats or as a “playpen,” with a TV on the bulkhead. This space is perfect for an afternoon nap for kids, and it’s comfortable (I stretched out with no problem) for adult overnighters, though it won’t encourage them to linger.

Underway, the 50 GLS is simply great fun. Hammer down, it came up fast and flat, regardless of whether we were using no tabs or letting the auto-tab system think for us. The boat topped out at 49.6 knots. For a 50-footer weighing some 19 tons, going 85 feet per second is impressive.

Even better, the 50 GLS felt solid, and I had a chance to check out the bottom before it hit the water. There are two full-length strakes below the waterline. Our result was a soft ride through a 2-to-3-foot wake when we circled back at full throttle. The spray was thrown far to the side, thanks to wide chine flats. This yacht begged to be treated like a 20-foot bowrider. We carved some swoops just for fun.

Those swoops were accomplished in silence too. My decibel meter read just 58 at idle (65 dBs is the level of normal conversation), and it got no higher than 85 at full throttle. The federal government’s safety agency says that’s the noise level of a vacuum cleaner.

The 50 GLS I got aboard had a Seakeeper 6 gyrostabilizer (we didn’t need it) and a 16 kW Kohler genset to provide air conditioning all day at anchor or at the sandbar. This equipage was under a hatch in the cockpit. Access via a ladder was outstanding, with room left to stow all the gear, from fenders to inflatable toys.

Everything said and done, the Cruisers Yachts 50 GLS is an on-the-water delight: fast and fun with varied entertaining spaces, thoughtful luxuries and the facilities for comfortable overnighting. This yacht truly is a greater little ship.

Major Power

Mercury’s V-12, 7.6-liter engine is revolutionary because the lower-unit gear case is steerable. A two-speed transmission provides torque in first gear and efficiency in second, and the dual-prop design provides solid bite, even in hard turns.

Catching Air

The 50 GLS has power-operated “vent windows” like those on older cars, providing a steady flow of controllable air. Electric side windows add to the breeze, as does the opening sunroof in the hardtop. Opening ports in the staterooms are another fresh-air plus.

Built Right

Cruisers Yachts uses a mix of modern and traditional methods in the 50 GLS, including hand-laid and resin-infused fiberglass for specific areas. The stringer grid that supports the interior components is wood-free with all-foam coring for a long-life, no-rot hull.

Take the next step: cruisersyachts.com

  • More: August 2023 , Cruisers Yachts , Express Cruisers , Reviewed , Yacht Reviews , Yachts
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Cruisers Yachts Logo

Founded in 1904

Founded by Thompson Brothers

Cruisers Yachts

Since 1904, the ingenuity behind Cruisers Yachts has delivered on-the-water experiences aboard yachts that perfectly harmonize luxurious details, performance, and craftsmanship. From incredibly well-designed interiors finished with elegant details to head-turning exterior designs, Cruisers Yachts maintains their mission of delivering superior yachts to this day. Under the Cruisers Yachts name, boaters will find a series of luxury yachts for all types of adventure. With unrivaled quality, style, and luxury, a Cruisers Yacht is your first step towards paradise.

Yachts built by Cruisers Yachts

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540 Sport Coupe

Cruisers Yachts 42 GLS

Navigate waters with ease in the 42 GLS powered by Mercury engines reaching speeds up to 49 mph. With a full galley, comfortable seating, and a spacious bow - the 42 GLS is the yacht for you.

Cruisers Yachts 42 GLS IO swim deck

Beach Doors

Expand your swimming area by lowering both sides of the 42 GLS I/O to convert them into a swim platform. The easy to access controls and safety mechanisms allow for endless family fun.

Cockpit seating area on a 42 GLS

The spacious cockpit features a U-shaped bow lounge, U-shaped dinette seating, two swivel bar stools, and an aft-facing bench. For alternative seating options, the aft-facing bench backrest can swivel to face the opposing beach doors.

Galley area on a 42 GLS

Cockpit Galley

The galley features a fiberglass inlay sink, fridge, bottle storage, and plenty of storage. An optional grill and TV add to the beautifully designed galley. The raised wet bar attached to the galley with accompanying bar stools allow you to effortless entertain.

Cruisers Yachts 42 GLS IO engines

The 42 GLS IO can be powered by Mercury 8.6 520 HP racing engines or Mercury 8.2 Mag 430 HP engines. The joystick piloting allows you to navigate with ease at a top speed of 49 mph using the racing engines or 46 with the 430 HP engines.

Woman at helm of 42 GLS IO

Bow Seating

Lower salon on a 42 GLS

Lower Salon

 Cruisers Yachts 42 GLS IO aft stateroom bed

Aft Stateroom

Crusiers Yachts 42 GLS IO head

Specifications

Cruisers Yacts 42 GLS I/O lower deck layout

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Get access to the full features list for the 42 GLS for a complete list of specifications, accommodations, and options.

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Cruisers Yachts 42 GLS I/O in black on the water

Cruisers Yachts 42 GLS I/O

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COMMENTS

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    With over 600,000 square feet of facilities, plus our own test tank, Cruisers Yachts guarantees products manufactured with unmatched expertise and attention to detail. We have the capacity to build boats up to 73-feet length overall, and in nearly any style. Whether you desire the comfort and luxury of our much-loved Cantius line, or the ...

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    Cruisers Yachts for sale on YachtWorld are offered at a range of prices from $17,875 on the moderate end of the spectrum, with costs up to $2,341,365 for the most advanced and biggest yachts. What Cruisers Yachts model is the best? Some of the most iconic Cruisers Yachts models currently listed include: 50 Cantius, 42 Cantius, 46 Cantius, 38 ...

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    Galati Yacht Sales is an authorized Cruisers Yachts dealer and has been since 1983. Headquartered in Oconto, Wisconsin, the company started in 1904 as Thompson Brothers Boat Manufacturing Company and continued to be operated by the Thompson family until the mid-1970s. In the 1990's Oconto native, K.C. Stock purchased the company and renamed ...

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    Cruisers Yachts TRUE INNOVATION. True innovation is creating a full line of extraordinary, world-class yachts… in four years. Each model is crafted with industry-leading design, manufacturing and amenities. Every part, every texture, absolutely every element has been hand-picked to provide you with unsurpassed comfort and performance.

  8. Cruisers Yachts Tests, Videos and Information

    The roots of Cruisers Yachts date back to 1904 and the Thompson Bros. Boat Manufacturing Company. Builders of iconic lapstrake boats, by the 1950s a second generation of the Thompson family would begin building outboard-powered, wood lapstrake cabin cruisers under the Cruisers Inc. name. Cruisers saw multiple owners over the ensuing decades, before developing the first of their modern yacht ...

  9. 2022 Cruisers Yachts 34GLS Boat Test, Pricing, Specs

    Cruisers Yachts - Oconto, Wisconsin; 800-743-3478; cruisersyachts.com. More: 2022, 30-40ft, boat tests, Boats, Cruisers Yachts, Cruising Boats, May 2022, outboards. Sporty and innovative, the Cruisers Yachts 34GLS boasts versatility and style. Learn more about its amazing features and check out the performance data.

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    Cruisers Yachts, Oconto, Wisconsin. 10,672 likes · 260 talking about this. [Official] Cruisers Yachts.

  11. Cruisers Yachts for sale in Great Lakes

    Find Cruisers Yachts for sale in Great Lakes. Offering the best selection of Cruisers Yachts to choose from.

  12. Cruisers Yachts 50 GLS Reviewed

    Cruisers, now owned by MarineMax, has paid attention to how we use our boats. The 50 GLS is a bowrider on steroids, an express cruiser with entertaining ambitions, an overnighter with comfort and a performance boat (49.6 knots) with the oomph to yank skiers or tubers with aplomb. The 50 GLS is powered by three 600 hp Mercury Verado V-12 outboards.

  13. The Cruisers Yachts 38 GLS Outboard

    Cruisers Yachts 38 GLS Outboard. The 38 GLS OB for sale at your local dealer combines the unmatched performance and entertainment capabilities of the 38 GLS with powerful, easy-to-maintain outboards. It's a match made in heaven for lovers of on-the-water fun. Connect with a Specialist.

  14. Cruisers Yachts

    Cruisers Yachts. Since 1904, the ingenuity behind Cruisers Yachts has delivered on-the-water experiences aboard yachts that perfectly harmonize luxurious details, performance, and craftsmanship. From incredibly well-designed interiors finished with elegant details to head-turning exterior designs, Cruisers Yachts maintains their mission of ...

  15. The Cruisers Yachts 34 GLS Outboard

    Cruisers Yachts incorporates numerous intricate details for superior finishes. 316L-grade stainless steel metal components enhance durability throughout the vessel, reinforcing key elements such as deck cleats, rail stanchions, arch legs, and sump and bilge pump foundations. Cutting-edge machines and hand-sewn techniques create high-quality ...

  16. Explore Cruisers Yachts 3750 Boats For Sale

    The starting price is $95,000, the most expensive is $129,000, and the average price of $112,000. Related boats include the following models: 38 GLS, 42 Cantius and 50 Cantius. Boat Trader works with thousands of boat dealers and brokers to bring you one of the largest collections of Cruisers Yachts 3750 boats on the market.

  17. The Cruisers Yachts 42 GLS

    The 42 GLS IO can be powered by Mercury 8.6 520 HP racing engines or Mercury 8.2 Mag 430 HP engines. The joystick piloting allows you to navigate with ease at a top speed of 49 mph using the racing engines or 46 with the 430 HP engines. 1 / 9.